Contributing a Commentary

iForum Rx welcomes unsolicited commentaries from ambulatory care pharmacy specialists as well as pharmacy residents, residency preceptors, and residency program directors regarding cutting edge, practice changing literature. In a journal club-like format, commentaries provide a brief summary (1500 words or less) regarding: 1) what’s known and what prompted the study, 2) the methods, findings, and analysis of an original research manuscript, and 3) the commentator’s opinions regarding how this information should be applied in practice. We particularly welcome commentaries that are thought provoking (controversial or contrarian) analyses of recently published research manuscripts. The goal of iForum Rx is to publish commentaries that promote discussion among the members of iForumRx – exaggerated (beyond the author’s actual stance) or contrarian statements are welcomed.

The decision to publish a commentary is based on several criteria: Does the commentary examine a potentially practice changing study or manuscript (whether the manuscript SHOULD or SHOULD NOT change practice is a question the commentary needs to address)? Has a commentary been written about this study or manuscript and published on iForum Rx before? Is the commentary well-written, concise, and persuasive? Will the commentary promote further discussion on the topic? The editors and reviewers of iForum Rx use a scoring rubric to determine if a commentary merits publication on iForum Rx.

If you are interested in writing a commentary, contact Stuart T. Haines, Pharm.D., BCPS, Editor-in-Chief[ shaines@rx.umaryland.edu]

Why write a Commentary for iForum Rx?

Many residency training programs conduct weekly or monthly journal club activities. And many ambulatory care specialists routinely make presentations about the results of cutting edge literature to their peers. So why should you consider publishing a commentary in iForum Rx?

International Audience. iForum Rx members include practitioners, residents, and students from around the globe. Your commentary can impact patient care and facilitate the translation of the latest research findings into practice.

Peer Reviewed. Commentaries published on iForum Rx are a scholarly endeavor and should be cited on your curriculum vitae.

Rapid Publication. iForum Rx can publish your work in much less than time than a traditional journal. For those in residency training programs, the opportunity to have an article published in a peer reviewed medium can enhance employment opportunities. For residency training programs seeking accreditation, publications by residents and preceptors in iForum Rx provides evidence that your program is meeting high standards.

Structured Feedback. Contributors to iForum Rx will receive structured feedback from reviewers regarding the quality of their work.

Development Activity. iForum Rx can be used as a novel mechanism for developing residents and preceptors. Commentaries published in iForum Rx can be used as a vehicle to stimulate discussion between residents and preceptors regarding recently published research manuscripts. Moreover, contributors to iForum Rx will hone their literature evaluation skill as well as learn how to write in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.

Leverage. Ambulatory care practitioners, residents, and preceptors put significant time and effort into making presentations and preparing for journal club activities. Why not parlay this work into something more impactful and enduring? Work published on iForum Rx should be included in your professional portfolio as well as residency accreditation materials to demonstrate how you and your program are contributing to the profession.

Contribution. The specialty of ambulatory care pharmacy practice is a new and fledgling discipline. To become a recognized specialty, a body of literature related to the specialty practice must exist. Your commentary to iForum Rx will be a lasting and visible contribution to the specialty of ambulatory care pharmacy practice.

To author a commentary, download the Commentary template here. Complete all fields, using the 'Body' field as the main content area for your commentary. Once complete, send your draft to our editors for review and publication.